Chapter 312 - A Best Friend's Excitement

"Mirae stop!" Somi exclaimed. Eli, who was also with them, shook her head in dismay. What have I gotten myself into? She wondered.

Mirae had dragged both her and Somi on a sudden shopping spree after their office hours. For some reason, she was extremely excited about something but refused to tell them what it was. She was walking very fast, looking around the shops.

"Come on!" Mirae exclaimed. "We need to buy stuff!"

She stopped in front of a dress shop. KJ had left a note for her in the morning that Hyun Jung was about to propose to Somi and since then she could not hold in her excitement. She wanted to make sure that Somi looked her best on the night Hyun Jung would pop the question. Even though Somi had no clue about his plans, Mirae wanted to make the night special for her best friend.

After all, Somi threw her the perfect wedding so it was time for her to throw the best engagement party for the Nation's True love.

"Somi, come here!" she ordered. 

"I'm tired!" Somi complained. "I've had a long day! The shooting schedule was hectic and the piled up work at Mystic Entertainment is killing me!"

"Those can wait!" Mirae snapped. "For now, I need you to try on that lovely red gown."

She pointed at a shop's window where an off shoulder red gown was displayed. It was long with rubies stitched along the neckline. With a little fitting, it would perfectly complement Somi's body and give her an angelic look.

"Why?" Somi asked in suspicion.

"Just try it on!" Mirae insisted. 

"But why?"

"Because...we are about to throw a party soon!" Mirae said. "For Mystic Entertainment's twentieth anniversary!"

It was not a complete lie. The anniversary was just around the corner and they had a lot of preparations to do. It was also the perfect opportunity to throw Hyun Jung and Somi's engagement party with the media and celebrities in attendance since the latter always wanted a public event for her wedding.

"But-" Somi began to protest but Mirae dragged her inside.

"Try it on!" she insisted. Somi groaned and looked at Eli for help. Eli threw her a 'just-do-it-please' look. Somi whined and asked the shopkeeper to let her try the dress. The shopkeeper, who was awed by the appearance of the Nation's True Love and one half of the Nation's Couple, immediately took the dress off the mannequin and handed it to her. Somi went towards the trial room to change.

"What is going on?" Eli frowned. "Why are we on this sudden shopping trip?"

Mirae glanced around to make sure that Somi was inside the trial room.

"Hyun Jung is about to propose to her!" she whispered in excitement.

"What?" Eli exclaimed loudly but Mirae shushed her.

"She doesn't know!" Mirae scolded her in a hushed tone. "Don't tell her!"

"Okay!" Eli whispered. "But when?"

"This weekend! I want her to be prepared for it! We'll throw them a party next week to make the official announcement at our anniversary event!"

Now Eli could not hold in her excitement. Her stern partner was finally settling down, that too with the Nation's True Love!

"We have a lot to do," Mirae said. "Can you get in touch with Hyun Jung's mom?"

"Sure!" Eli replied. "What about Somi's parents?"

"Well…"

Somi did not have a very good relationship with her parents especially after what had happened to her. They blamed her for it and for bringing dishonor to their family so they drove her out of the house. She did not keep in touch with them for years and Mirae doubted they would be ecstatic to hear that she was getting married to a police officer. After all, Somi's family was one of the most distinguished families in the country and were prideful of their wealth. They would not tolerate that their eldest daughter was marrying a commoner.

"I'll have to tell them," Mirae sighed. "But her parents are class A hypocrites. They disowned her after the assault and want nothing to do with her. If they turn up, it'll make Somi very happy but I wouldn't count on it. Her father never publicly acknowledged her and I doubt he'd want to give her away."

Eli was slightly sad by the story. Elite people were very obsessed with their honor and dignity. She had run into many heartbreaking cases about women being abused and thrown out of their houses after being s.e.x.u.a.lly assaulted because they were blamed for their 'shameful acts'. Her heart went out to Somi for being so strong and not letting the trauma affect her goals. She also admired Hyun Jung for sticking with her even when she tried to push her away.

"They make a really good couple," Eli said. "They're very happy together."

"Yes," Mirae sighed, beaming with happiness. She unconsciously touched her stomach, thinking about the bundle of joy she would welcome soon. They still have not told this to anyone and wanted to keep it a secret for a while. It was too soon for them to tell. What if the Cartel found out?

But she needed some things for the upcoming months since pregnancy was going to be a long ride for her. 

"Eli, stay here," she said. "I wanna look for some stuff for my house."

"Oh," Eli said. "I'll tell the guards to tail you then. They're right outside sitting on the bench."

Mirae debated for a while before saying, "Fine. Tell them not to stay too close though. Just keeping an eye on me would do."

"Okay," Eli agreed, texting the instructions to the guards who always followed them everywhere.

Mirae nodded and ventured outside. She looked around for a while until she found a store for babies. 

"Aha!" she exclaimed. She was about to go in when someone called her from behind.

"Jung Mirae?" 

Mirae turned around to see a man in his sixties. He was a short man with wispy white hair and a pair of old glasses. She recognized the man immediately. His name was Kim Jungshin and he was an old partner of her father before the latter's death.

"Uncle!" she said at once. "Hello. Long time no see!"

The old man broke into a smile. "Yes, me dear!" he said heartily. "I haven't seen you since you graduated high school! After that you simply vanished until you emerged as the CEO of Mystic Entertainment and Kwon Jiwon's wife! I was shocked yet pleased that you were doing well!"

"Ah, well it was a sudden marriage," she said, feeling a little ashamed for being out of touch for so many years. "I was...busy managing my dad's affairs."

"Yes," Jungshin sighed. "It was a sad day for us when Jung Taewon died in that accident."

Mirae did not correct him but nodded. 

"By the way," Jungshin frowned. "What happened to that boy whom Taewon had taken up as an apprentice?"